Exploring Health Providers' Recognition of Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome in Older Adults
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Authors
Sumagaysay, Theresa
Issue Date
2025-03
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
antidepressant discontinuation syndrome , geriatric , older adults
Alternative Title
Abstract
The research examines Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome (ADDS) affecting individuals aged 65 and older who live either in long-term care homes or assisted living facilities. ADDS represents a vital yet unrecognized clinical issue affecting older patients whose symptoms frequently get improperly diagnosed owing to confusion with dementia along with depression relapse. The research examines ADDS recognition and management as well as awareness levels among adults who are 65 years or older based on a biopsychosocial approach. The research shows three essential findings about healthcare system difficulties, including provider training shortages and medicine interaction problems alongside insufficient diagnosis capabilities. Multiple difficulties affect treatment outcomes because there are no established tapering standards, and healthcare professionals struggle with ethical hurdles. Committees should enact specific training curricula and geriatric protocol development alongside psychosocial treatment strategies based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for managing ADDS symptoms. Standardized tapering protocols, together with training enhancements for healthcare providers and specialized psychosocial therapies for older patients, form part of the recommended solutions. The research sets out to resolve existing knowledge deficiencies by supporting evidence-driven methods which enhance the care quality for older adults having ADDS while establishing holistic geriatric mental health treatment approaches. This research recommends fundamental changes to health systems that should lead to better quality treatment and mental health results for older patients during the antidepressant discontinuation period.